It has been said that older adults require less sleep than younger people. While it is true that the amount of sleep needed from infancy to adulthood can decrease, the changing trend tends to stay steady around the age of 60. The National Sleep Foundation guidelines suggest that adults over the age of 65 should get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Aging is tied to a number of health concerns. Poor sleep can contribute to many of those problems. As adults age, their lifestyle changes as well. This can cause issues with their sleep. It is common for older adults to have changes in the duration and quality of their sleep. Since almost one third of our lives are spent sleeping, understanding the relationship between aging and sleep is very important in promoting health and great quality of life for the elderly.
- Pain & Discomfort can lead to change in sleep schedules and can prevent a person from getting adequate sleep.
- Daytime napping is a common reason why older adults have sleep issues. They spend a portion of the day taking small naps. These naps tend to keep them awake at night time.
There are a number of reasons why their sleep schedule may be messed up. There are some tips that one could follow to try and improve sleep in seniors.
- Exercise: Older people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and tend to sleep longer.
- Reduce distractions: Cellphones, TV and keeping lights on make it much more difficult to fall asleep.
- Avoid Caffeine and large meals before sleep: Try eating dinner at least 4 hours before it is time for sleep. Reducing caffeine intake can help improve sleep and make it easier to fall asleep.
- Regular sleep schedules: Aging also makes it more difficult to recover from lost sleep. Try to avoid sudden changes to the sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Lack of sleep can cause a high risk of falls and accidents. Always make sure that a telephone is kept by the bedside in case of accidents and a light is within reach for the same reason. Aging comes with many changes and takes a lot of adjusting. Understanding the importance of sleep for aging adults is very important to their care and making sure that they are living their best life.